"Luke, is something bothering you?" Colleen asked during the quite ride home after the movie.

Luke didn't respond, in fact it was like he never even heard her. He continued to drive as if he was the only one even in the truck.

"Luke?"

"Huh?" he replied.

"What is wrong?" Colleen pressed.

Luke glanced over at Colleen. "Nothing." He replied.

"That's not true. You've not said 3 words all night long. You barely paid any attention to the movie, you didn't eat any pop corn."

"I just have some things on my mind." Luke said discretely.

"Want to talk about it?" Colleen asked.

Luke sighed. "Not really. It's just some personal issues."

"What happened to telling me everything? Holding back no secrets? Colleen asked.

"I can't talk to you about this." Luke snapped.

"Okay." Colleen quickly replied.

Great, now Luke felt like an asshole. "Colleen... I'm sorry." Luke said his voice loosening.

They pulled into Luke's driveway and they both got out.

"You want to come in?" Luke asked.

Colleen smiled and walked inside, hoping the rest of the evening would be better.

"Luke, there's something I need to tell you." Colleen began as she sat down.

"Okay..." Luke replied. "Shoot."

"You..." she paused. "You are the most amazing man I've ever met."

Luke smiled, but felt even more rotten now for what he had said back in the truck.

"I've never met anyone like you." Colleen smiled. "And for the first time in a long time I've found someone I want to spend my time with... Luke I know it's sudden, but it's also certain.." She took a deep breath ... "I love you."

Luke's heart dropped... his mind went blank. He wanted to say it back to her, he should say it back to her, any other day before today he would have said it back to her, but now he couldn't.

She sat there, hoping for a positive response. All she saw was his mind wondering.

"I understand if you don't feel the same." She said, trying to break the silence.

Luke glanced up at her, "Colleen, I do care for you... a lot." Luke looked down. "But I don't know if I love you. Or if I ever will."

Colleen tried to hide the hurt that she was feeling inside. "What do you mean if you ever will?" Colleen asked trying to hold back tears.

"It's not easy for me to fall in love. And I don't know if I'm over ..."

"Lorelai?" Colleen replied jealously. "So, that's it? I'm not good enough."

"Colleen I didn't say that."

"I don't get it Luke. I've gave you more than she ever did. I've been there for you, and believed in you and I truly loved you."

"It's not that. You've been wonderful I can't say that you haven't."

"Then why... why can't you ever love me? She's gone, she's not here, who else is there?" Colleen asked standing up.

"There isn't anyone else." Luke replied becoming annoyed with the whole situation.

"This is so bizarre I'm competing with a woman who is 5,000 miles away and doesn't give two shits about you. And she's winning!"

"She isn't winning!" Luke yelped. "And she's not 5,000 miles away... she's in the next town."

Colleen shot back... "She's where?"

"That was her kid tonight in the gas station." Luke finally admitted.

Colleen's eyes had become red from holding back tears, and finally she let them fall. Luke rubbed his face and moaned.

"She's been here the whole time." Luke replied. "I didn't know it."

"And you're still in love with her." Colleen remarked. "Well... I guess I see where this is headed." Colleen grabbed her purse and headed towards the door.

"Colleen... don't." Luke begged. "Please, let's just take this one step at a time."

"What's there to take?" Colleen asked. "She's here, you love her. I'm out. Usually, I avoid looking like an idiot and telling someone I love them, but with you Luke Danes I thought it was different... my mistake."

"Colleen, please..."

Colleen walked on out the door and gently shut it behind her. Luke could have went after her, he could have followed her outside and proclaimed his love for her right there on the front lawn but he let her go.